Families Home Schooling for Excellence

Fall 2007 Class Schedule

Opening Exercises is from 9:30-9:40

Course Descriptions

A Book a Week:  We will be reading a book a week—all under 200 pages—except one that has 212 pages and one that has 216. For the first week, everyone will need to have read between now and the time we start co-op, Where the Red Fern Grows: the Story of Two Dogs and a Boy  by Wilson Rawls (212 pages). I will provide the books for the following six weeks and will need them to be read and back to me by the following Tuesday. The books I am planning to have us read, but not necessarily in this order, are: Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (153 pages), Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan (186 pages), The Janitor's Boy by Andrew Clements (140 page), A Single Shard by Linda Park (148 pages), Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (171 pages), and The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (216 pages).

Chess:  This class is for those who have a basic knowledge of the game and want to improve their chess skills by playing with others.

Cub Scouts: We will be focusing on activities for Bears in Cub Scouts, but Wolf scouts are welcome to participate as well, and girls can take the class even if they aren't "cub scouts."

Curious Minds Want to Know:  If your child enjoys watching "Curious George" on PBS and are very curious about why and how things work, they will love this class. Each week I will read a Curious George book and then do hands-on science that relates to something in the book. I will also introduce the to famous people with curious minds.

Educational Games: We will be playing fun games that teach a variety of topics. Feel free to bring your favorite game from home.

FHE: We will be making a different family home evening packet each week.  These will be appropriate for the 7-8 year olds to teach a lesson and help plan songs and activities to go with the lesson theme.  A $1 - $2 donation for copies and supplies is welcome but not required.

Forensics:

Friends Around the World:  Learn what life is like for kids in a different country each week.

Greek Theater:

History of Science: We will learn about different scientists in history, what they were able to learn about our world, and do some hands-on experiments to understand the discoveries they made.

Liberty Club: Learn about the American Revolution through reading the Felicity books and participate in activities related to them.

Mozart: We will be learning about the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  He is perhaps the most famous of the classical composers who wrote in many different styles.  We will listen to his music and learn about symphonies, concertos, sonatas, operas and more.  Students will have listening assignments outside of class.  We may also perform a song written by Mozart.

Mythology

Poetry:

Science:

Sing With Me 

Scrapbooking: Come make a keepsake scrapbook album all about you! Each week we will learn a new technique and make a layout using your new skill.  At the end of the class you will have a completed album to take home.  * Parents please note: you will need to provide photos for each child enrolled in this class. 

Speech:  Become comfortable speaking in front of people.

Storytime:  Listen to stories and do crafts or activities that relate to them.

Warriors: We will study warriors from different cultural and historical backgrounds-Ancient Greeks, Vikings, and Ninjas.  If we have time, we can explore Muslim Spain before the Reconquest. 

Some questions we will ponder-Why do Warriors fight?  What do they fight with?  Does technology cause wars, or do wars spur creation of new technology? What is gained, or not, from fighting a war?  Does a war solve a problem, or make it worse? 

Students will need to be able to read and write at about a 5th grade level to get the most out of this class.  I will ask students to do an end of term report, which can take the form of a project (make a Ninja sword, draw a map of Ancient Greece, make Viking headgear, etc.)  or a written report. 

There may also be a poetry reading or two-wars seem to inspire poets. Come join the Young Scholars!!